Chapter Eleven ~Serenity~

In one swift motion I struck Cret in the throat preventing him from speaking. He fell back grasping for air and choking. He would live, but he wouldn't be able to give away my plan. I couldn't let anything stop me now that everything had fallen into place.

I had struggled with myself for some time over what to do—what I could do. In the course of a day my plans had changed with my swinging moods and resolve, but now we were at the end. There was no longer time to falter, this would be the last chance I had to make my choice and then it would be permanent.

Seeing Cret discovering those bodies, the fury so intense in his green eyes I knew what needed to be done. I felt guilt over all the lives but it was limited, these people had to die if the rest were to be spared.

“Take him to the manor and lock him up.” I heard Vondorian order from behind me. “We will attend to him later.”

The two Vamdari that had restrained him hoisted Cret to his feet as he gasped for air, his body leaning toward me. He knew what I was going to do and I was surprised Cret was the only one that had noticed, but he couldn't stop me.

We were even now. I destroyed his city, the people he protected. I felt content with that knowledge, the war between us was over. It was the last bit of business I had to take care of before everything came tumbling down into chaos. It wouldn't be long now, as I watched them drag him away.

I walked back to Vondorian to take my place at his side, and I would forever be at his side. The Vamdari that remained in the temple for this grand event also started to move out, the others not present were making their way through the valley. After the feast here at the temple with all these victims so easily laid out, it was time for a real hunt. They were sent out to do away with the rest of the smaller villages and pockets of people that called this place home. It was too bad they would never complete their task.

It's time.

My breath held in my throat as Vondorian reached for me, his chilled arm drawing around my waist. I cuddled into his chest with a shiver as he ran his hand across the side of my face. “You have done so very well my dear,” he said, rewarding me with a brilliant smile. I had always longed to see that.

The pleased look he gave, the soft smile of approval. Before all this that smile was all I wanted. The delight which danced in his crimson gaze could once complete my world, but that was then.

I softened in his embrace, the distant sound of Cret's struggle just a mild irritant. It had to be this way, why couldn't Cret understand that?

Vondorian dragged his fingers along my jaw to my chin, titling my head up toward him. His lips pressed sweetly against mine. A gentle kiss, long and delightful as I returned it. Nervous energy twitched through my body instead of passion or desire, the anticipation of what was to come too much as the moment held in a long span of breathless time.

Everything held right in place and then slowed to a crawl as I withdrew Cret's dagger, the one I had just stolen, from beneath the folds of my dress.

It's time. My thoughts reminded me and I leaned into the kiss, the slow motion of the world shattered back into sync as Vondorian roared.

It was done. That amber dagger my master so coveted was thrust into his chest, deep. I pushed harder on the blade to take it to the hilt and he gripped my arms as he tried to arch away from me. I held him close with my free hand and refused to release until the deed was done. Claws ripped through my flesh making me flinch at the bitter sting of pain but I endured. I wouldn't let him go and now neither would he.

Vondorian bore his fangs up to the heavens and groaned with each second that passed, I could feel his body weaken as I gave a half-hearted glance to the other Vamdari whose attention we had attracted.

Their movements were slow as they staggered toward us to aid their master. They were useless. I had ensured that earlier in the day. One by one they stumbled about before falling among their victims. Turning back to Vondorian I smirked in my victory. “They can't help you.” I laughed in my insanity, the dagger warming in my grasp as the crimson in his eyes started to drift in intensity.

“Hibryasthum flowers, my father's favorite. They grow on the western side of the valley where my village once stood, and they make the sweetest tea. Very harmless to mortals, but to vampires it induces the most intense death like sleep." I explained drawing Vondorian close as I waited for him to pass. “It's the same stuff you slipped me, and I covered these people in it. Forced it down their throats until they could drink no more, and now it's coursing through your Vamdari. Your servants—your army has been defeated, and now you.”

I laughed again feeling a weakness starting deep inside of me. I twisted the dagger in his chest steeling the words that I could see forming on his lips. I didn't want to hear what Vondorian had to say, he had said enough over the centuries. This was my moment no matter how brief.

Vondorian's body grew heavy and fell forward onto mine, the world became dulled and silent. Muffled sounds of struggle echoed in the distance but it would be too late. The dagger was taking Vondorian's life and mine, I could feel it draining my life as payment for its misuse. My knees faltered under Vondorian's weight and my own weakness, we both fell to the ground. My grip on the dagger was loosening but I wouldn't let go, not until I was sure his chest stopped moving.

Labored breathing was all I could feel as my eyes became harder to keep open. It was getting difficult to hold on, but I had to see this done. My senses faded and my hand fell from the dagger, I could still feel Vondorian's chest rise and fall with shallow breathing. I needed to feel his last breath as I rested my hand on his chest, clutching at his shirt I felt movement and thought the dagger had failed. That Vondorian had regained some strength to over come the weapon's magic as my body started to move.

No, the movement came from the floor beneath us, it was shaking. The whole world was vibrating. A rumble barely broke through my hazy death and a loud crack like thunder woke me for a second as Vondorian's chest rose for the last time.

You preformed perfectly, his dark voice echoed inside my head and then everything fell silent and peaceful allowing fate to take me.